John Edward Corby Appleton (20 October 1905 – 13 September 1990)[1] was an Australian theatre and radio director and actor prominent in the 1950s.
Born in Walham Green, England the oldest of eight children of an English father and an Australian-born mother,[2] Frank and Irene,[3] he was educated at Fort Street Boys' High School.
During this time he had been taking night classes at the Julian Ashton Art School[2] and started a small business painting 24-sheet posters for billboards.
In 1928 he joined the Sydney Players Club, of which his father Frank was an active member,[5] initially as an actor then producer, known as "Jack Appleton".
[2] He took a very hands-on approach to the running of the Children's Session, including persuading Ruth Park to write him a part, "Tabby Cat", in the Muddle-Headed Wombat serial.